etiquette when driving past climbing cyclists

meercat

recently when driving past cyclists climbing uphill i wondered is there any way of encouraging the cyclist with some support
the problem is ,if you toot your horn the cyclist may not be sure whether you are encouraging or admonishing them

is there an etiquette for this,or would it be best not to bother

Encrypted Pigeon

you should roll down the window and offer some fresh water bottles and energy gels

TBH I would prefer not to be bothered, Im usually too busy cursing myself for being unfit and panting for breath that I would prefer if no one saw me

Tenzor07

You pass at a reasonable speed and leaving plenty of distance, it's that simple!! :rolleyes:

juan.kerr

Open the passenger window and toot a fog horn in the cyclists direction. Cyclist should get the message.

kincsem

You could put on your hazard warning lights for a few yards after you have passed them to give a show that you something something whatever.

fat bloke

A passenger with a sticky bottle would be ideal

BeardySi

offer a tow? :P

PurpleBee

While I admire the principle, if all drivers felt the same compulsion none of us would ever get anywhere

Rovi

If that Rémi Gaillard Tour de France gag video was ever on topic anywhere here, it HAS to be this thread!

Tenzor07

meercat wrote: »

recently when driving past cyclists climbing uphill i wondered is there any way of encouraging the cyclist with some support
the problem is ,if you toot your horn the cyclist may not be sure whether you are encouraging or admonishing them

is there an etiquette for this,or would it be best not to bother

Just don't do this!

jameverywhere

that video makes me so mad !!! :mad:

it looks like it really hurt...

kenmc

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You pass at a reasonable speed and leaving plenty of distance, it's that simple!! :rolleyes:

And then pull in at the next available safe spot, scrawl "410" across the road, hold up a pair of wheels in case the rider needs a replacement, and get the kettle on quick! If near the top of a climb, hand out newspapers as they go past, so they can insulate themselves from the cold on the descent.
If you have a devil costume and a trident and can jump up and down and run alongside, all the better

Mint Sauce

Just give us a little space, and possibly a friendly toot or wave.

jameverywhere wrote: »

that video makes me so mad !!! :mad:

it looks like it really hurt...

It did really hurt. Jonny Hogerland looked like he had been through a cheese grater after going through the barb wire fence, and still went on to finish the stage.

seamus

It's hard to do anything like beep or flash your hazards or whatever because you're equally likely for someone to interpret it as a "get the fnck off the road" or "you're cycling dangerously, keep left".

Holding back and then passing when it's safe usually indicates to me that the driver is being supportive. You get so many assholes overtaking on blind bends and cutting in on you when they suddenly meet oncoming traffic, that you cherish every driver who makes an effort to be extra safe.

Dali Farmer

We were cycling Mizen2Malin last year, and a very nice couple who passed us in a camper pulled in and made us tea! There are good people in the world

hesker

kenmc wrote: »

If you have a devil costume and a trident and can jump up and down and run alongside, all the better

classic

manwithaplan

Just give me a nice slap on the arse.

Darkglasses

I'd like if you'd drive right up to my back wheel and rev your engine. Fear is my main mode of transport. Mainly fear. Alternatively, please play some loud music from your radio (Under pressure, king of the road, climbing up to the moon are some of my favourites. Sound!)

Mycroft H

And when your driving a diesel make sure to give it some beans when driving past me. I do love breathing in a cloud of derv smoke while climbing that hill

DirkVoodoo

Unless it's a race or a sportive, I don't think there is any need to do so. They don't need the extra encouragement and anything that might startle someone could be misconstrued.

Personally, I wouldn't do something on a public road that might cause an accident. Cyclists going up also means cyclists might be coming down. You don't want to take your eyes off the road because you are too busy honking or winding down the window to offer a few words of support.

It's well meaning, but not necessary.

Hungrycol

Darkglasses wrote: »

I'd like if you'd drive right up to my back wheel and rev your engine. Fear is my main mode of transport. Mainly fear. Alternatively, please play some loud music from your radio (Under pressure, king of the road, climbing up to the moon are some of my favourites. Sound!)

Get your coat.

petethedrummer

Hungrycol wrote: »

Get your coat.

He's pulled?

Park Royal

I dont usually overtake going up a hill.......not usually......

recall a lorry passed out a cyclist going up a hill, at the same time a

car came over the hill and both crashed head on......( true story)

the lorry driver advised he had just given the cyclist room as he

overtook on the hill.....asked where the cyclist was ......no sign ..

he had pedalled on his merry way.....

Hungrycol

petethedrummer wrote: »

He's pulled?

Such bad taste in music means he's no longer welcome

seamus

Park Royal wrote: »

overtook on the hill.....asked where the cyclist was ......no sign ..

he had pedalled on his merry way.....

Well strictly speaking he had no obligation to stop as he wasn't involved in the incident. Though a decent person would at least check that everyone was OK.

Darkglasses

petethedrummer wrote: »

He's pulled?

Yes! Someone's coming to the pants party! *reads topic* Oh wait...Flip. I just think its a good song!

feck sake lads

Dali Farmer wrote: »

We were cycling Mizen2Malin last year, and a very nice couple who passed us in a camper pulled in and made us tea! There are good people in the world

jeez sure hope there on the road in may when i tackel it:D:D

Lumen

Park Royal wrote: »

I dont usually overtake going up a hill.......not usually......recall a lorry passed out a cyclist going up a hill, at the same time a car came over the hill and both crashed head on......( true story) the lorry driver advised he had just given the cyclist room as he overtook on the hill.....asked where the cyclist was ......no sign .. he had pedalled on his merry way.....

That's nothing much to do with a hill, that's overtaking without having a positively clear view of the road ahead.

It is a basic tenet of competent driving to be able to stop on your own side of the road in the space that that you can see to be clear and is likely to remain so.

The lorry driver in your story is incompetent.

Wishbone Ash

Park Royal wrote: »

asked where the cyclist was ......no sign.

Jesus - for a second there I thought you were going to say that the cyclist was under the truck! :eek:

Slideshowbob

offer a tow like this lad got:

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/259108

mmclo

When I was 15 went cycling around Wicklow and stayed in Youth Hostels. The way to Aughavanagh was all up hill. Three of us got towed of a tractor and trailer, still don't know to this day if he knew or not!